September 25, 2017

‚ÄúAnd let us not be weary in well doing,‚ÄĚ is a favorite scriptural quote of a favorite Champion born and raised here. He moved away for a while but came back and lives 200 yards from where he was born up there on a hill on WW Highway with one of the most lovely views in all of Champion. His admonition is adhered to nicely and is a general characteristic of the area. Ms. Helen Batten writes to say that the Douglas County Health Department is going to come to Skyline School, Tuesday, October 3rd. The nurse will be doing blood pressure and body-mass-index checks, as well as glucose screening. She reminds us that we need to fast before the glucose test. The nurse arrives at Skyline at 8:45 a.m. and is there until 10:45 on the first Tuesday of each month. This time she may also be offering flu shots if they have enough vaccine after their shot clinic of September 22nd. This is one of the many examples of well doing. Others are the wonderful little rural school that is shaping the adults who will be running things one of these days. Skyline teachers, administration, staff (Thank you, Ms. Helen.), and board members put in a lot of hours and thought dedicated to the wellbeing and advancement of our most precious asset–our children. Additionally, the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department is here to protect our lives and our property. They are the Volunteers who leave their farms and their jobs to use the Jaws of Life to get us out of our car wrecks and to do the wellness checks that we need when we are in need. Of all the things of which to be weary, well doing is not one in Champion.

Someone said that if you act like you are having a good time, pretty soon you will forget that you are acting and will really be having a good time‚ÄĒmaybe having a really good time. That has been the message on a card sent to a Prominent Citizen off and on annually for a while. It turns out that he has been having a good time for all that time. Pete Mullins over there in Kansas and Janna Brixie of Skyline School share his birthday as do Skyline 4th grade student, Lydia Harden and prekindergarten student Myson Loveless. They all celebrate on the 1st of October. William Tucker Clark shares his birthday on the 2nd with Mahatma Gandhi. Tucker was born in 2015. Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869. Tuckers old granddad celebrates on the 4th. The General‚Äôs little sisters celebrate on the 4th. That is also the birthday of Skyline 5th grader, Malachi Fulk. Skyline VFD Auxiliary president Betty Dye celebrates on the 7th, as does Vicki Trippe, another civic minded woman doing good work for her community and the Nation. Happy days to all you Champions!

Frank Martin lives in West Plains and shares this poem on the internet. ‚ÄúWeather exceeding all norms/ Appears in unusual forms/ The latest forecast/ First worse than the last/ Shattered scours and stumber throns‚ÄĚ Folks who are fortunate to have persimmons growing say that the seeds all have spoons in them. This is portentous of heavy, wet snow. Meanwhile, the wind blew things around in West Plains on Sunday and across the world today floods from hurricanes have taken many lives and the homes of many together with all their possessions. Fires in the West have taken lives and homes and have scorched some of America‚Äôs most beautiful landscapes. Neighbors to the south have their world shaken apart over and over again with many still trapped in the rubble. Sarah Cloud lives in Hurricane, Idaho. She writes, ‚ÄúThis week I see post after post bashing people who are protesting. I see a POTUS who is fueling the fire. I also see how easily your attention was swayed away from battles for basic needs of fellow Americans in DC and silence about our citizens in Puerto Rico. By all means, get mad over a few professional players, meanwhile some of us are fighting for your rights to medical coverage, tax relief, social security and education. As my child always point out, when government says, ‚ÄėHey! Look over here!‚Äô they are hiding something over there.‚ÄĚ Raymond James of Leeton, Missouri writes that enrollment for 2018 Affordable Care Act (ACA/Obamacare) stars November 1st and ends on December 15th. Senator John McCain has a terminal brain cancer and a good attitude. Knowing that this is probably his last term in office, the 81 year old Veteran is free to pursue a legacy of actually representing the best interest of the Nation and its citizens. How encouraging it would be if it did not take the threat of death for our elected officials to do the right thing.

Gardening has proven to be an excellent activity this year. In spite of the recent dry spell, gardens have been wonderfully productive. Skip and Ina from over near West Plains are sharing excellent cucumbers. The seed came from MFA. The cucumbers do not get very big and do not get bitter. One Champion is grateful to friends for their having shared their favorite tomato varieties over the years. Sierra and Bailey‚Äôs grand-papa likes ‚ÄėAmy.‚Äô It is a small (golf ball size), indeterminate variety with a rich full taste, productive until frost. Louise Hutchison, who won the First Ripe Tomato in Champion Contest in 2008, favored ‚ÄėParks Whoppers.‚Äô Louise won an antique blue fruit jar and two dozen canning jar lids and other prizes for her two baseball size ripe beauties. She just had a birthday on the last day of summer. Linda, who operated The Plant Place in Norwood for many years, likes the variety called ‚ÄėDelicious.‚Äô Our Ms. Brooks shared the ‚ÄėSan Remo.‚Äô They are no longer available, but they were an incredible tomato‚ÄĒa big Egyptian variety. Cathy Odneal advises wisely to plant basil in with tomatoes for good results. There is time yet before the full moon to plant spinach, kale, lettuce and collards. After the moon changes will be a good time to get next year‚Äôs garlic in the ground. A few truckloads of organic fertilizer sounds like a good idea at this time of the year.

Carson and Drayson Cline have been in town for a few days. Drayson had his 4th birthday in August and Carson will have his 3rd birthday in October. At the same time he was being born in Cox Hospital, his great grandfather was over in Mercy Hospital getting a hip replacement. They are both doing well until this day. Carson and Drayson have good friends and cousins in the neighborhood. It is a delight to see them growing and learning and playing together. They remind one of Rolf Harris‚Äôs song, ‚ÄúTwo Little Boys.‚ÄĚ It is a sweet story of friendship and love. One says to the other, ‚ÄúWhen we grow up we‚Äôll both be soldiers/ And our horses will not be toys/ And I wonder if we‚Äôll remember when we were/ Two little boys.‚ÄĚ Old sweet songs help take away some of the stress and anxiousness of these tumultuous times. It was a joy to have a favorite fiddler back at the Vanzant Jam. He gazed at the lovely Lena and sang, ‚ÄúI love you just the way you are. I wouldn‚Äôt change you if I could.‚ÄĚ That is how it is in Champion‚ÄĒLooking on the Bright Side!

September 22, 2017

Seth Keller drove Jim and Judy Cantrell’s wagon at the head of the wagon train.

The West Plains Wagon Club and the Gee and Haw Wagon Club of Viola, Arkansas combined to make a wagon train of four for the one hundred mile trip from West Plains to Mansfield. They pulled into Champion on Thursday the 14th a little ahead of schedule and were met by a nice crowd of people who enjoy seeing the teams and wagons. For some it is a novelty and for others it harkens back to the days when that was the way most folks got around. Absent for the second year, the much missed Clifton Luna was spoken of fondly among waggoneers and spectators alike. He was 91 and, for the first time, not quite up for the trip last year. He passed away in October. He was carried to his grave on a mule drawn wagon‚ÄĒjust the way he would have wanted with these folks and many others in attendance.

Jim and Judy Cantrell of Norwood were the first ones in the square. Their wagon was driven by young Seth Keller. Judy said he had driven the whole way since they turned off the pavement there at V Highway. Their mules are Long Ears and Patty. Jerry Sanders has a nice driver too–Toni Amison. They are from Norwood and their mules are Sadie and Buttercup. Ken Felts‚Äô mules are Champ and Lady. In years past he and his friend Randal Barnett would double back through Champion afterwards and spend the night on the square on their way back home to Pocahontas, Arkansas. Mr. Barnett has just had back surgery and so was unable to make the trip this year. His Champion friends will be looking for him next time. Harley Wayne Keller drove the wagon of Jerry and Diane Wilbanks all the way from John Webber‚Äôs place. Their mules are Kate, RB and Smokey. Diane had good things to say about Harley‚Äôs skill and his pleasant demeanor. John Webber said it had been foggy at his place that morning and when he looked out the kitchen window there were mule ears standing up in it‚ÄĒan interesting vision.

They enjoyed a rest stop for lunch and for visiting with the spectators. Among those who came to enjoy the spectacle were Johny Appleseed (he did not say where he was from), Bob Berry of Drury and Mary Goolsby of Gentryville, Butch and Dawn Stone, Arnold Ahlsteadt, Shirley Brixey of Willow Springs, Kaye and Richard Johnston of Licking, Royce and Jody Henson of Springfield, Mark Keller of Drury, John Webber, Sherry Bennett, Lonnie Curtis, Tom Cooley of Mountain Grove, Skip and Ina Downen of West Plains, Alvin Barnhart, Robert Upshaw, Dean Brixey, Fae Krider, Leo Stofer, Jeff Bartsch, Wes Lambert, Dawn Stine, David Richardson and a number of others. Dawn and David brought their instruments and did some nice picking and singing on the wide veranda there on the Historic Emporium. It was a beautiful day for the outing and, as the wagons topped the hill on their way out of town, Champions were already looking forward to next year. It will pass quickly though that leisurely pace of the wagon train tugs at us to slow down and enjoy every passing day here in Champion‚ÄĒLooking on the Bright Side!

September 18, 2017

The wagon train‚Äôs passing is one of the highlights of the Champion year.¬† While there were fewer wagons than we have seen in past years, this year was marked by the participation of a couple of young men‚ÄĒSeth Keller and Harley Wayne Keller.¬† It is encouraging to see this wonderful tradition being carried on.¬† Clifton Luna‚Äôs grandson has the old wagon master‚Äôs wagon and mules, but he also has a job.¬† Ken Felts remarked that this is a sport for retired people.¬† It is labor intensive, but rewarding.¬† Champions are zealously affected by this good thing.¬† Old people want young people to value what they value.¬† It is the same the world over.¬† On Sunday 280 horses and 100 pipes and drums completed the Riding of the Marches spectacle in sister-city Edinburgh, Scotland.¬† Thousands of spectators lined the streets to watch the re-enactment of the return of the Captain of the Trained Band to Edinburgh with the tragic news of defeat at the Battle of Flodden.¬† That happened in 1513‚ÄĒsome tradition.¬† Morag Edward remarked that this was a good weekend in the city for anyone needing free fertilizer for gardens and allotments.

Donald Krider had his 90th birthday celebrated in a surprise party up in Elmwood, Illinois on Saturday.¬† They say he had a good time and played his fiddle.¬† Louise Hutchison, Zoey Rucker and Penelope Zappler all celebrate on the last day of summer‚ÄĒthe 21st.¬† Sandy Chapin will be partying on the 24th.¬† Dustin Johnson is an 8th grade student at Skyline who has a birthday on the 25th of September.¬† Sixth grader Whitni Detherage celebrates on the 26th along with Graeme Laird over in Edinburgh.¬† Over in Tennessee, Cathy Alsup Reilly has a big day on the 27th and Austin‚Äôs own Becky Heston celebrates on the 29th as does Vanzant‚Äôs Lucile Gayman, who is enjoying her birthday in her own home.¬† Skyline pre-kindergarten student Melanie Hall has her birthday on the 30th.

Television is not holding much interest for some old Champions these days.¬† One did happen to pass by the screen the other day when the Governor was descending from a great height in a spotlight via a rope or zip line or something down into a crowded sports stadium with majestic music filling the great space.¬† And that smile!¬† We have not had a politician with teeth like that since FDR.¬† Well, Jimmy Carter had a nice smile, but he was hampered by his genuine nature.¬† It would seem that this fellow already is imagining himself as POTUS.¬† He is on the path.¬† Herman Middleman, who gives his street address as 86 45 Schtupp Ave., but does not say in what city, writes, ‚ÄúThe governor was quick to call out the National Guard in a heavily militarized display of force supporting a controversial court decision.¬† Why such expansive military gear is necessary is a good question.¬† Even small towns see surplus military equipment augmenting local constabulary.¬† Any segment of the population could be designated as an adversary.‚ÄĚ¬† Mr. Middleman goes on‚Ä¶.and on.¬† Much is being said these days about the Vietnam War.¬† The Public Broadcasting Network has begun an 18 hour series on the war on TV.¬† It will be most interesting to hear how it is received by local Veterans of that conflict and others.¬† John McCain recently said something to the effect that wars should be a country affair‚ÄĒthat the risks of war should be shared equally among all the people.¬† The sons and daughters of everyone‚ÄĒrich and poor‚ÄĒshould be conscripted.¬† It might be that if the children of the powerful were in jeopardy, there might be more yearning for peace.¬† He also suggested that we pay for these wars as we go, rather than saddling future generations with the enormous debt.¬† Right and left wings can agree to keep our mighty bird flying.

This time of the year every week end has some sterling event going on in the area.¬† The wagon train came to Champion on its way to Wilder Days in Mansfield.¬† There will be Hootin‚Äô and Hollarin‚Äô in Gainesville next week end and Norwood will have Farmer‚Äôs Day on the 30th.¬† The www.ky3.com folks have a great list of all the fall festivals in the Ozarks.¬† Another great website is www.heritage417.com¬† There you will find the full music line up for the Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks which will be held at Chapel Grove on October 7th and 8th from 10am to 5pm.¬† It looks like it is going to be a lot of fun.¬† Organizers say that entries for the Corn Bread Cook-Off should be brought to the chapel building by 11am on Saturday, October 7th.¬† Embroidery contest entries should be there by noon.¬† There will also be a period costume contest at 2pm.¬† Winners in the various categories will be determined by audience approval.¬† The legacy of the Thomas family and their many years of hosting the Pioneer Descendants‚Äô Gathering has inspired this new festival and hopes are that it will enjoy the wonderful community participation and appreciation that Betty and Dale brought to us.¬† Check out that website for all the information and if you happen not to have a computer and wish to volunteer to help out with the festival or just to get information call (417) 746-4006.

Monday morning rain is a welcome sight in Champion.¬† The broad banks of Old Fox Creek shoulder the sweetness of pure county living.¬† There is a little store at the end of the pavement where country roads meet and where needs can be met for gas, feed, groceries and fellowship with neighbors.¬† City folks say, ‚ÄúI‚Äôve laid around and played around in this old town too long, summer‚Äôs almost gone.¬† Winter‚Äôs coming on.¬† I‚Äôve laid around and played around in this old town too long and I feel like I‚Äôve got to travel on‚ÄĚ to Champion!¬† Looking on the Bright Side!

September 11, 2017

Natural and man-made disasters are much on our minds on September 11, 2017.¬† It has been 16 years since the attack on the World Trade Center and the United States.¬† It was a world changing event, though even now there are assessments of that tragic occurrence that do not agree with the official account of the facts.¬† The natural disasters unfolding now are mind boggling to see with fire on one side and flood on the other.¬† Television coverage of the storms and fires keep us involved with our neighbors.¬† Out here in the middle of the country, in the midst of perfect weather–if dry, most everyone is acquainted with someone who is affected by the hurricanes or the fires.¬† We are reminded that every part of the country is vulnerable to something.¬† While the power of nature is amazing, it is also amazing to see how well people respond to crises and to each other when the need is great.¬† There will, of course, be efforts to use these calamities to further political agendas.¬† It will likely turn out that there will be some entanglement between disaster relief and tax reform with the aim to make it seem as if a person who does not agree with tax cuts for corporations does not support the victims of the storms and fires.¬† It is sad that so many across the country are suffering and sadder that some think they can manipulate the situation for their own nefarious purposes.¬† America is full of smart, caring people who will not be hornswoggled.

Champions are full of anticipation for the arrival of the Wagon Train.¬† The West Plains Wagon Club and the Gee and Haw Club out of Viola, Arkansas gather their wagons together to make their way from West Plains to Mansfield, a journey of one hundred miles.¬† They generally roll in to Champion about mid-day on the Thursday of their journey.¬† (That will be this Thursday, September 14th.)¬† It is always a mystery about how many wagons and outriders there will be and how big the welcoming committee on the broad beautiful banks of Auld Fox Creek will be.¬† The wagon train folks seem to always welcome people of the community to look over their beautiful animals and their interesting outfits.¬† It is a great opportunity for young folks to see how things used to be done back before cars and smart phones.¬† The big difference between now and the old days is that these wagons have rubber tires and not those authentic wheels like Dale Thomas made of wood and steel.¬† There are also more sophisticated springs than were available on the original wagons.¬† Some wagons are equipped with solar collectors and radios.¬† Some of the travelers are more interested in the authenticity of their rigs than others.¬† For some it is just a matter of getting there and of sharing the experience with like-minded folks.¬† They always seem to enjoy being in Champion.¬† David Richardson will be there with his drone for picture taking.¬† Hopefully he will have a guitar with him for music making.¬† Several of his friends plan to bring their instruments and everyone is welcome to join in.¬† Bring your fiddles and banjos and come for the fun.¬† You can see several of David‚Äôs YouTube videos on line at www.championnews.us.¬† Look over on the right hand side of the page for Champion Videos.¬† There are lots of pictures there too of previous wagon trains.¬† There you will find photos of beloved wagon master Clifton Luna, who passed away this last year, and of Ken Felts, Vernon Crow, Jim and Judy Cantrell, Jerry and Diane Wilbanks, Bill Jackson, the Webster family, Jerry Sanders,¬† Jerry and Bonnie Arnold, Randall Burnet, Coy Stone, Shelby Blades, Ed Janes, Cliff Boyles, Mr. Crawford, Bryn Ulmer, Kenneth McIntosh and others.¬† Chances are good that not all of these people will be on this wagon train, but there may be someone new among the bunch looking for a Champion adventure.

Eva Henson Phillips writes, ‚ÄúI wish I could have been there.‚ÄĚ¬† She was talking about the recent Champion School Reunion.¬† ‚ÄúThe group all looked so happy to be at the old school.¬† I‚Äôm amazed at the Henson clan and all walking the ‚ÄúWalk of Ages.‚Äô¬† Maybe I can be there in 2018.¬† Thank you for all the pictures and news for us out-of-towners to enjoy.¬† Our son, Bill, wants to ‚Äėwalk the walk‚Äô with his cousins in 2018.¬† Our son, Barry, is waiting out the storm Irma in Florida, hoping it doesn‚Äôt come inland.¬† Kenneth and Dawn and family seem to be doing well in Houston.¬† Keep on the sunny side!‚ÄĚ¬† If the coming year goes by as quickly as the current one has, we will be seeing Eva and her bunch soon.¬† We will be looking for the good news that all her extended family has weathered the storms well.

Young Ely Young is a prekindergarten student at Skyline School.¬† His birthday is September 8th.¬† He shares the day with a great birdwatcher who has the nickname ‚ÄėCrayola‚Äô and with the esteemed senator from Vermont.¬† He is in excellent company.¬† Native Champion and mother of Kalyssa and Foster, T.J. Wiseman, celebrates on the 13th of September and Frances Sutherland on the 14th.¬† They both enjoyed the Champion School Reunion and Frances can frequently be seen on the McClurg Jam Facebook page.¬† She and Wayne are there most every Monday night in the company of J.R. and Janet Johnston and others.¬† They know how to have a good time.¬† The 14th is also the birthday of Sophia and Penelope‚Äôs dear old dad.¬† He is an annual visitor to Champion and he also knows how to have a good time.¬† The same can be said of Elmer Banks wherever he may be.¬† He and Mountain Grove‚Äôs charming Ms. Tigger share the 15th as a birthday.¬† They probably do not know each other and probably would agree on very little though they both can tell a good story and both have a great sense of humor.¬† Happy birthday all you Champions‚ÄĒmany happy returns.

The dates for the Starvy Creek Fall Bluegrass Festival are advertised as being September 14-16th up in Conway, Missouri, but numbers of local musicians have been up there for days already, camping and jamming the nights away.¬† They will come home with stories to tell and accumulations of good memories.¬† Many interesting things happen this time of the year.¬† Bud Hutchison will soon have another Champion Trail Ride and come October 7 and 8, the first Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks will take place at Chapel Grove.¬† It will not be the same as Dale and Betty Thomas‚Äôs Pioneer Descendants Gathering which gained great steam over more than a decade down at the Edge of the World, but it will start gathering its own steam and promises to be another great happening for the area.¬† Dale and Betty were at the Champion School Reunion and said that they are looking forward to the new event.¬† Meanwhile, on Thursday or on any day, come down to the end of the pavement where country roads meet at the bottom of several beautiful hills to make your own memories.¬† The country roads are strewn with wild flowers and reminders of days gone by.¬† You might learn a new song or an old one like:¬† ‚ÄúOh! A wild cat attackted [sic] Mammy from the rear, and Pap said, ‚ÄėSon, you have no fear.¬† If he ever tries to crowd her, we‚Äôll be having wild cat chowder!‚Äô and the covered wagon rolled along!¬† Rolled along, rolled along, and the covered wagon rolled along‚ÄĚ to Champion‚ÄĒLooking on the Bright Side!